I am a lifetime multi media artist who has worked in many forms of visual and experiential art over the last 30 years. Play of light on colour & figure in nature inspires me. Essence of light & colour motivates me. Classical training in fine art, sculpture, architecture, literature, poetry, archaeology & culinary arts conspire in spite of myself to bring about a unique style of abstracted expressionism. "Non scholae sed vitae discimus". La vita, la le person, gli animale, la bellezza della nature. The wondrous ways in which light in its many permutations unveils the beauty in natural and man made objects is infinite in its ability to inspire and amaze us. Once we have lived life, or at the very least tried our damned best to, can we in our very essence and pure abstracted form fulfill expression in its most meaningful function. Enlighten, enrich, elate.I have explored, some say ad nauseum, the essence of art in culture in all its forms, both rigid and fluid. Conclusively, only that which elevates us to a heightened awareness of our various levels are worth surrounding ourselves with. Nothing in vain. No destination surpasses the journey.Whereas Expressionism and Abstract art are not the most popular styles in Southern Africa currently, I would like to take a moment to explain its relevance to current trends, read on please[0x1]Proto Expressionism originally refers to the early expressionists. Expressionism (as the original founding movement in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century), is linked to various media; incorporating sculpture, literature, music, architecture, movement and dance, etc. Proto Expressionism of the 1940's led to Abstract Expressionism (various scholars hold differing views). Proto Abstract Expressionism is perhaps strongest in the works of Mark Rothko, Arshile Gorky and Jackson Pollock who in turn gave rise to Abstract Expressionism. At the end of WWII, the formal philosophies of European abstractionists merged with the emotional outpourings of German Expressionists to create a new kind of art- an unrestrained untraditional type of art - Abstract Expressionism. As abroad term, a means for historians, critics and collectors to categorize the work of a vast number of diverse contemporary artists. "Pictures" of expressionism are dynamic; expressionist painters express their subjective emotions via painting (or their chosen field), the emphasis being placed on communication through emotion. Abstract Expressionism became perhaps the most important artistic movement of the post war years. Where Expressionism began as a reaction to Naturalism. Its goals were to show the truth by proclaiming humanity's aspirations, hopes and fears. Expressionism evolved into Abstract Expressionism and led to various other currents like New Expressionism, Digital Expressionism (Pointism, derived from the print media in the 1990's), New Proto Expressionism (best encapsulated by the architecture of Edgar Wood), etc. Where abstract art movements of the early 20th century could be a little cold or theoretical - the analytical Cubism of Picasso or Braque, the Supremasism of Malevich, Italian Futurism and the Rayonism of Goncharova et al. However at the heart of all abstract movements lay a desire to capture some form of inner insight of the artist through an unconventional depiction of the outside world. Refer to the vigorous brush strokes of Van Gogh, the simplified forms of C[0xC3A8]zanne, the vibrant colors of Gaugin or Matisse, all of which focused on bringing the inner life of the artist out into the daylight and onto canvas. The German Expressionists rejected the aesthetic goals of the Impressionists, preferring the energetic styles of Van Gogh, Matisse et al as a way to achieve overt expression. It was about the externalizing of emotion and not the creation of 'an attractive picture'. Among these Expressionists was a group of young Russian emigres who banded together with a group of Germans to what they called "Die Blaue Ritter", the common goal of which was to find ways to express their spiritual ideas through painting. The group was founded by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc - both known for their symbolic use of colour and abstract imagery. Kandinsky in particular was known for what he called 'spontaneous painting' in which he was guided by 'intuition' more than 'intellect'. He called his spontaneous painting style 'improvisations' as opposed to the usual calculated 'compositions'. He remains the strongest influence on my painterly style. He (Kandinsky) called his devotion to inner beauty, fervor of spirit and spiritual desire, INNER NECESSITY.

Price Range

US$ 124-955

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Exhibitions

Private Showings. Maurice has several paintings in private collections in South Africa, Europe and North America.Maurice has held several private exhibitions, by invitation, in Cape TownSeveral joint exhibitions in expressionism.Maurice will have a permanent exhibition space shortly